Trails

Fourteener country offers an abundance of ATV, Jeeping, biking and hiking trails. With so many trails and "Fourteeners" to be climbed, scaled, rock climbed, bouldered or just plain hiked, you'll be hard pressed to decide on just one. Come explore and play.... You'll find it hard to leave.

The 1,845-foot Alpine Tunnel cuts under Altman Pass and served the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad from Denver to St. Elmo and Gunnison. Completed in 1881 after 18 months of construction, it w... Details

The Barbara Whipple Trail is a popular trail in Buena Vista was named after Barbara Whipple (1920-1989), a local artist who owned an art gallery on Main Street in Buena Vista.
It is considere... Details

The Black Cloud Trail is a lesser known trail in Lake County that offers a spectacular mountain experience while getting away from the crowds.
For the most ambitious hikers, this trail is an alter... Details

Looking for a bike route that provides plenty of mountain scenery, a great workout, but requires less time and is easier on your body compared to the more intense mountain passes? Try a locals’ ... Details

The Chinaman Gulch Loop Trail is considered one of the more difficult 4WD trails in the area. A loop trail, it spans 2.5 miles in rugged and rocky hills southeast of Buena Vista. Although the scenery ... Details

Getting to Columbia City is half the fun. Be advised that the four wheel drive portion of the road is not maintained during the winter, but you can easily travel the first four miles via standard pass... Details

Among the many challenging and rewarding mountain passes to ride in Colorado, Cottonwood Pass has to rank as one of the biggest prizes. Starting at the traffic light in Buena Vista (7,920’), Cha... Details

The Denny Creek Trailhead is located 12 miles west of Buena Vista, with a paved parking lot on the right. This is a beautiful mountain paradise no matter what the season – wildflowers in the sum... Details

Hagerman Pass is a popular 4-wheel-drive destination on the Continental Divide between Leadville and Basalt. It is known for its variety of scenery, including mountain views, summer wildflowers, wildl... Details

Although there isn't much left of Hamilton, you can enjoy a beautiful one-and-a-half-mile hike to it. Begin by taking the four wheel drive road one-half mile past the Banker Mine, stopping at a US... Details

Independence Pass is the type of mountain pass that most cyclists dream of taking on. Starting in the quaint village of Twin Lakes, the road gently ascends into a canyon surrounded by large peaks and ... Details

Destination: Little Annie Mine
General Location: West and northwest of Buena Vista
How To Get There: Head east on Main St. in Buena Vista, turn left on Colorado Ave (County Road 371). Follow... Details

Lost Lake, a high elevation lake at approximately 11,800 feet, is located south of Cottonwood Pass at the base of the Continental Divide. It is a mere one mile hike (one way) to the lake, with a trail... Details

The Mary Murphy Mine is one of the more intriguing historical sites in this region, particularly since it has not had the benefit of restoration efforts. Several buildings are standing in various stag... Details

The Midland Trail might be one of the best kept secrets in Buena Vista. The rocky ridge with pinions directly east of Buena Vista is named Midland Hill, and the Midland Trail leads to its summit.Altho... Details

The Mineral Belt Trail is a 12-mile trail all-season biking/walking trail that loops around the city of Leadville. It travels through aspen groves, forest and offers grand views of Leadville, Mt. Mass... Details

The Poplar Gulch Trail is a well-marked trail that ascends well into the mountains that is lesser known in Chaffee County. The views at the high point of the trail (12,400 feet) are majestic, with gra... Details

Ptarmigan Lake is a high elevation lake in the Sawatch Range at the base of Jones Mountain (13,232’) that was named such because of the flocks of ptarmigans often seen in the area. This larger t... Details

Poncha Pass is an excellent road biking route that provides mountain scenery, a strong workout, and perhaps most importantly, a decent-sized shoulder throughout the highway. Starting in Poncha Springs... Details

The Colorado Trail is an established, marked, and mostly non-motorized trail that transverses Colorado’s high country. The trail system offers hiking, biking, & cross country ski opportuniti... Details